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LEGAL NEWSLINE

Friday, March 29, 2024

Ohio painting company to pay employees $2 million in restitution

Marthacoakley

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley | Massachusetts Attorney General's Office

An Ohio painting company agreed to a recent settlement with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley to resolve claims that it allegedly didn't pay its employees fair wages and didn't engage in fair business.

M&J Painting company has agreed to pay $2 million in restitution to employees who worked on the Braga Bridge project in Fall River, Massachusetts.

After receiving numerous complaints from employees, Coakley's office filed a lawuit in 2013 that alleged the company and owner Michael Kerpelis purposefully didn't pay the workers and turned in fake time sheets to show workers pay on a government project.

“This company failed to properly pay its employees and obtained an unfair advantage over its competitors,” Coakley said. “Enforcing these laws is essential to maintain a level playing field for all businesses that play by the rules and to protect the rights of our workers.”

The settlement also takes care of a claim by the company that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was withholding payment to M&J's Painting. MassDOT will give $2.065 million to the AG's office to cover the settlement amount and the remaining balance will go directly to M&J Painting.

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